Fishing on the Upper Madison right now has been some of the best of the year as fall is very much in the air. Our pleasant sunny days and cool nights have provided conditions more like summer than fall for those going on fly fishing trips in Montana. The fishing has been a mix of prospecting with terrestrials, tandem nymph rigs, and some streamer fishing. For wading anglers the Raynolds section has been fishing well and for those willing to hike some, the Channels section has been producing some quality fish.
As for consistent hatches, some Blue-Winged Olive mayflies and some pseudo mayflies are being spotted, but those hatches haven't really been target-able yet until we get some rainy and overcast weather. The hatch really isn't strong yet, but the nymphs have been active quite a bit subsurface; so nymphers are having some good success. With water temps still above 50 degrees it is going to feel more like summer fishing. But as soon as we get some overcast and drizzly and cold weather, there should be some great Blue-Winged Olive dry fly fishing. As for other hatches, some caddis are still being spotted, but that is sporadic at best. Hoppers are still bumping around and expect to find fish eating hoppers off and on well into October.
Because the Madison River is full of fast flowing currents and plenty of riffles, most anglers use tandem nymph rigs when fishing. Fish are going to be found in the seams next to currents as well as drop offs near shelfs, and in and around boulders and other pockets. Be sure to always be willing to adjust your weight based on the depth of the water and the speed of the currents. Dry flies can be successful right now, but most fish are caught fishing tandem nymph rigs beneath the surface.
Flies for the Madison Right Now:
Morrish hoppers in tan, gray, or pink in sizes 10-18
Thunderthighs hoppers in gray, tan, or peach in sizes 10-14
Rainbow warriors in sizes 14-20
Zebra Midges in sizes 16-20
Beadhead PTs in sizes 18-22
Juju beatis in flash or tan in sizes 16-20
RS2 is pale or yellow is sizes 14-18
Para Adams in tan or yellow in sizes 14-16
Corn Fed Caddis is sizes 14-18
Micro Chubbies in black, tan, or olive in sizes 10-14
Blooms Hi-Vis caddis in sizes 10-14
The Month Ahead:
October on the Madison River can be a mix of fall, winter, and a sprinking of summer. Because the river is a tailwater fishery flows throughout October remain consistent. Along with these consistent flows, water temperatures often remain consistent and in ideal ranges for actively feeding trout. During October trout on the Madison River often migrate from bankside structure and into many of the river's "buckets." The buckets are areas that are just a little deeper than nearby areas--for example a drop off below a shelf, or a bucket below or behind rocks or large boulders, or a slight change in depth created by other forms of structure. Bankside structure can also create buckets, but the fish will be in the bucket and not in the structure. The Upper Madison is often the ideal picture of predictability, reliability and dependability. The entire river upstream of Ennis Lake typically fishes well and with the low flows the buckets from Varney down to Ennis Lake are clearly defined and easily targeted. The trout will be looking for old favorites like sculpins and stonefly patterns, eggs and baetis nymphs. Stripping, dragging, and dead-drifting large streamers should also keep anglers entertained throughout the next several weeks.
Long Term Fishing Forecast:
The Upper Madison is a very consistent fishery and this season should continue to produce good results up and down the river. The reports listed above should hold out into mid-October. Things start to change a bit later in the fall with some baetis mayflies becoming an important factor. Fall fishing is always good on the Upper Madison.